Our newest volume starts off with an appropriately summery track from Northern California trio Sex Hogs. “Bricks” is warm and breezy, like a perfect sunny day, with just enough grit to remind you you’ve been sitting in the sand all afternoon. And, just like most summer days – and summer itself – it’s over before you’re ready. I appreciate the band’s unusual arrangement for what could easily be a typical verse/chorus tune, with the verse and chorus using the same chords (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Instead, the first verse brings us a pre-chorus to build up to the low-key, but catchy chorus, and instead of a second verse we get a full-on harmonica solo over the pre-chorus. But wait! There’s still a bridge coming! For a stripped-down group playing relatively straightforward rock music, Sex Hogs have a way of keeping one guessing.
Now, about that name. Look, it’s 2019, and naming bands is hard. All I’ll say is, now that our friend Matty P has retired the name Karaoke Hottiez, maybe Jon can now have a new favorite band name to hate. So thank you, Sex Hogs!